“Use Dental Floss”

At Medicell Dental Clinic, We Don’t Stop at Just Saying That

Hello.

I’m Dr. Hyunwoo Han of Medicell Dental Clinic.

At Medicell Dental Clinic, we take the time to consider what is best for each patient so that we do not miss the critical window in which a natural tooth can still be saved.

Some patients brush their teeth very carefully, yet when they visit the dentist, they are told that they have cavities between their teeth or problems with their gums.

In these cases, knowing the proper flossing technique and maintaining a consistent routine can help keep the spaces between your teeth and your gums healthy.

“I brush my teeth really thoroughly.

Why do I still have problems between my teeth?”

When patients ask me this, one of the things I ask is whether they regularly use dental floss or an interdental brush.

When It Comes to Flossing, How You Floss Matters More Than Simply Flossing Every Day

Brushing thoroughly is important, but toothbrush bristles alone may not adequately clean the narrow areas where neighboring teeth touch.

At Medicell Dental Clinic, we believe that dental care is not only about identifying areas that need treatment.

Helping patients understand how to care for their teeth and gums going forward is also an important part of what we do.

Dental Floss Is Not Just for Removing Food Between Your Teeth

“I use dental floss whenever food gets stuck between my teeth.”

This is something I hear more often than you might expect when talking with patients.

Dental floss does help remove food caught between the teeth.

But more importantly, it helps remove dental plaque from the sides of the teeth, where a toothbrush may have difficulty reaching.

For this reason, rather than flossing only when food gets stuck, it is better to make flossing part of your regular oral hygiene routine.

Wrap the Floss Around the Side of Each Tooth

Take approximately 30–40 cm (12–16 inches) of dental floss and wrap it around the middle fingers of both hands.

Then hold a short section of the floss between your thumbs and index fingers.

When inserting the floss between your teeth, do not force it straight down.

Instead, gently move it back and forth while slowly guiding it between the teeth.

Once the floss reaches the gumline, this next step is especially important.

Curve the floss into a C-shape around one tooth, gently pressing it against the side of the tooth, and move it up and down.

Then repeat the same process on the side of the neighboring tooth.

Rather than simply passing the floss through the gap, think of it as cleaning the side surface of each tooth individually.

Avoid aggressively moving the floss from side to side in a sawing motion, as this may irritate or injure the gums.

What If Your Gums Bleed When You Floss?

“My gums bleed whenever I floss, so I’m afraid to keep doing it.”

Some patients become concerned when they notice bleeding while flossing and stop flossing that particular area.

In some cases, bleeding may occur because the floss is being used too aggressively and has irritated or injured the gums.

However, bleeding can also occur in areas where the gums are inflamed.

First, check whether you are applying too much pressure.

Continue to care for the area gently while using the proper flossing technique.

However, if bleeding, swelling, or discomfort repeatedly occurs or persists, it is a good idea to visit a dentist and have the condition of your gums evaluated.

Keeping Your Teeth Healthy Even After Treatment Is Complete

I don’t believe that explaining oral care to a patient should end with simply saying:

“You should floss.”

Patients need to know how to insert the floss between their teeth, which direction to move it, and what to do if their gums bleed.

That knowledge helps them properly care for their teeth at home.

After all, the time you spend caring for your teeth in everyday life is far greater than the time you spend at the dental clinic.

If you have any questions about how to floss properly, even if they seem minor, please feel free to ask us.

At Medicell Dental Clinic, we do not want to focus only on the treatment you need today.

We also want to help you understand how to keep your natural teeth healthy for as long as possible, even after your treatment has been completed.

Rather than finding one more tooth that needs treatment,

we want to help you have one less tooth that will need treatment in the future.

That is how we approach the care of our patients’ teeth at Medicell Dental Clinic.

Drawing on a wide range of clinical experience, I will continue to strive to provide patient-centered dental care.

Dr. Hyunwoo Han

Medicell Dental Clinic